Faie Beach
Sacred eels, golden sand, and turquoise calm on Huahine
About
Plage de Faie sits quietly on the western shore of Huahine Nui, where a river mouth meets the lagoon in a rare natural junction. The golden sand is compact and clean, lapped by turquoise water that stays genuinely calm — this is lagoon swimming at its most unhurried. At the water's edge, a viewing platform marks the home of the sacred blue-eyed eels, freshwater residents that locals have fed and revered for generations. It's a short stretch of beach, roughly 150 metres, but what it lacks in length it more than makes up for in cultural weight. Roadside access makes it effortless to find, yet it stays remarkably quiet.
How to get there
Drive from Fare — it's about 15 minutes by car along the main road, and the beach is easy to spot from the roadside. Free parking is available in a small roadside area right at the eel viewing site. No entry fee applies. The road is flat and the viewing platform is accessible, making arrival straightforward for most visitors.
Who it's for
For couples
The quiet atmosphere and the shared experience of watching the sacred eels up close make this a genuinely intimate stop — unhurried, culturally rich, and far from the usual tourist trail.
For families
The lagoon section is calm and safe for swimming, the viewing platform is accessible and fascinating for children, and free roadside parking means no logistical stress. Keep kids well back from the river mouth current and remind them the eels are sacred — not to be touched.
Our take
Feet in the sand, eyes on the screen
Plage de Faie is safe to swim — stay in the lagoon section and away from the river mouth, where a mild current runs. Beyond that practical note, this is one of those rare beaches where the cultural experience genuinely outweighs the sunbathing. The sacred blue-eyed eels have been part of Huahine's identity for centuries, and standing at that viewing platform, you feel it. The golden sand and turquoise water are beautiful, but they're almost secondary here. It's quiet, it's accessible, and it asks very little of you except respect. Worth the detour from Fare — and worth lingering longer than you planned.
What to do
The Sacred Blue-Eyed Eels of Faie, just 50 metres from the waterline, are the centrepiece — watch locals interact with these remarkable freshwater eels from the viewing platform. If you have a vehicle, the Maeva Archaeological Site is worth the 5km drive: it holds the largest concentration of marae stone temples in all of French Polynesia. Lake Fauna Nui, about 6km away, is a large brackish lake tied to traditional fishing and home to notable birdlife — a peaceful half-day extension to your visit.
The eel viewing platform framed against the turquoise lagoon is the signature shot — arrive early for clean reflections and no one in frame.
The river mouth junction, where fresh water meets the lagoon over golden sand, offers a compelling natural geometry worth capturing at low angle. A wide shot from the roadside looking south catches the full arc of the beach with the lagoon stretching into the distance.
Where to eat
OAOA is the closest option at just 0.5km, followed by Métis at 0.6km for a slightly different menu. Tatie Gette, 0.8km away, covers breakfast, burgers, coffee, fish, and local sandwiches — a solid all-rounder if you want a relaxed bite before or after the beach. There's nothing to eat on the beach itself, so plan ahead.
Where to stay
Bée Local Labhouse is the only listed accommodation in the area, sitting 1.4km from the beach. It's close enough to make Plage de Faie a genuine base for exploring Huahine Nui at your own pace.
Photography
The viewing platform at dawn offers a clean shot of the river mouth meeting the turquoise lagoon, with soft light hitting the golden sand before any visitors arrive. Late afternoon is ideal for wide frames looking out across the lagoon, when the low sun turns the water a deeper shade of turquoise.
Good to know
Swim in the lagoon section away from the river mouth — the junction area can carry a mild current that catches you off guard. The sacred eels are not a novelty act: do not touch, harm, or disturb them in any way, and treat the site with the cultural respect it deserves. Avoid visiting in December, January, and February if lagoon clarity matters to you — wet-season river runoff can cloud the water near the river mouth. True digital-detox spot — bring offline books, the cell signal fades and there's nowhere to plug in a laptop.
Map
Nearby places
OAOA
Métis
Tatie Gette
Vairai Sunset Gril Para
Chez Tara
Bée Local Labhouse
Sacred Blue-Eyed Eels of Faie
Maeva Archaeological Site
Lake Fauna Nui
Things to see around Huahine
Sacred Blue-Eyed Eels of Faie
Sacred freshwater eels fed by locals at the river mouth — a unique cultural experience in French Polynesia
Maeva Archaeological Site
Largest concentration of marae stone temples in French Polynesia
Lake Fauna Nui
Large brackish lake important for traditional fishing and birdlife
Frequently asked
The information on this page is provided for guidance only and may evolve. Access conditions, safety and infrastructure can change without notice. Always check official sources before traveling.
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